QSX300.2 Gender, Power and Vulnerability (Spring)

QSX300.2 Gender, Power and Vulnerability (Spring)

Every relation of imbalance between bodies rests on a shift in power.  The model of the hetero patriarchal system in which one gender, identified as male, dominates the other, identified as female, can mask the contagion of violence at its heart with breezy references to battles of the sexes or comedy sketch ‘that’s just how women are’ cultural representation.  This moment of non-gender conforming, nonbinary, trans cannot liberate unless we explore the underlying dynamics of power at work in all inequalities, racial, sexual, gender-based in order to invent new ways of being together not built on  ‘who is on top’ – a position that perversely can be inhabited by victims as well as victors.

This course is cross-listed and may also be registered under WGS 300.2

WGS300.2 Gender, Power and Vulnerability (Spring)

Every relation of imbalance between bodies rests on a shift in power.  The model of the hetero patriarchal system in which one gender, identified as male, dominates the other, identified as female, can mask the contagion of violence at its heart with breezy references to battles of the sexes or comedy sketch ‘that’s just how women are’ cultural representation.  This moment of non-gender conforming, nonbinary, trans cannot liberate unless we explore the underlying dynamics of power at work in all inequalities, racial, sexual, gender-based in order to invent new ways of being together not built on  ‘who is on top’ – a position that perversely can be inhabited by victims as well as victors.

This course is cross-listed and may also be registered under QSX 300.2

HOM300.3 America, the Musical (Fall, Spring) CANCELLED Fall 2026

This interdisciplinary course invites students on a journey through the chronology of the United States’ political origins and musical creations through the lens of Black Studies. Drawing on methods and theories from Black Studies, dramaturgy, and musicology, the class critically examines the US’ foundational myths, social struggles, and cultural values as portrayed in classic and contemporary musicals.

Theatre, like all art, both reflects and reproduces society. Musicals are a sort of collective ‘diary’, made up of stories we as a society tell about ourselves. Examining how the story of America is told on stage – and how marginalised groups are depicted – encourages us to reconsider several fundamental claims about the United States. Too, different musical stylings have been used throughout history to reinforce certain themes; tracing America’s history as told through Broadway shows thus involves tracing musical histories as well.

“America, the Musical” will be taught primarily through seminar discussion in response to weekly theory reading and scene viewing. Students will also be encouraged to attend West End shows; site visits and guest speakers will make use of London’s creative scene.

This course is cross-listed and may also be registered under CRS 300.3

CRS300.3 America, the Musical (Fall, Spring) CANCELLED Fall 2026

This interdisciplinary course invites students on a journey through the chronology of the United States’ political origins and musical creations through the lens of Black Studies. Drawing on methods and theories from Black Studies, dramaturgy, and musicology, the class critically examines the US’ foundational myths, social struggles, and cultural values as portrayed in classic and contemporary musicals.

Theatre, like all art, both reflects and reproduces society. Musicals are a sort of collective ‘diary’, made up of stories we as a society tell about ourselves. Examining how the story of America is told on stage – and how marginalised groups are depicted – encourages us to reconsider several fundamental claims about the United States. Too, different musical stylings have been used throughout history to reinforce certain themes; tracing America’s history as told through Broadway shows thus involves tracing musical histories as well.

“America, the Musical” will be taught primarily through seminar discussion in response to weekly theory reading and scene viewing. Students will also be encouraged to attend West End shows; site visits and guest speakers will make use of London’s creative scene.

This course is cross-listed and may also be registered under HOM 300.3

MTC246 Chromatic Harmony II (Spring)

Not offered Spring 2024

Chromatic harmony continued. Late 19th century chromaticism, 20th century methods. Analysis of repertoire from 19th and 20th centuries.

Syracuse University Shared Competency:

  • Critical and Creative Thinking

Prereq: MTC 245

SPM245 Race, Gender, and Diversity in Sport Organizations (Fall, Spring) Cancelled Fall 2026

Application of concepts and theories from the field of organizational studies to workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity in sport organizations. Issues of race/ethnicity and gender are emphasized. 

Satisfies IDEA Course Requirement.

Satisfies Syracuse University Shared Competencies:

  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Ethics, Integrity, and Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

GEO300.2 Green Britain? Science, Devolution, and Climate Controversies in the UK (Fall, Spring)

This field studies course invites you to use Great Britain as a case study for the interplay between environmental geology, political ecology, and devolution policy.

During two full weekends of travel during the semester, you will encounter controversies over environmental resources, climate policies, and decision-making power. A fundamental reality in environmental science is that all life and Earth processes are interconnected across vast distances and over long periods of time. Yet human systems of governance work at much smaller scales, both spatially and temporally. This is perhaps especially true in the contemporary United Kingdom, where ongoing processes of regional devolution –- and particularly Brexit –- signal growing interest in localization.

You will simultaneously study the geological history that formed distinct landscapes in the devolved areas of Great Britain and the current sociopolitical forces that create interest in the resulting environmental resources.

Ultimately, “Green Britain” will help you better understand geology, politics, and science communication –- and how these forces impact both their daily lives and human history.

May also be registered as PSC 300.2

Not included in limited registration of PSC courses.

This course has an associated course fee. See the London Course Fees page for more information.

ECN300.1 The Economics of Inequality (Fall, Spring)

This course will examine the economics of inequality at both theoretical and empirical levels. Special attention will be directed to national and international forms of economic inequality alongside the major debates regarding their key drivers and appropriate policy solutions.

The issue of economic inequality has been thrust into the media and academic spotlight over the past decade. In many of the most high-profile and urgent issues and trends we are currently witnessing, the underlying issue of economic inequality is easily identifiable and indeed inescapable. At the national level, the issue of inequality has manifested itself powerfully through the Black Lives Matter movement in the US and the Brexit vote in the UK while globally the impact of, and policy responses to, both the climate challenge and the Covid-19 crisis continue to expose and exacerbate political fissures between advanced and developing economies.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the economics of inequality in order to better understand these and other pressing issues in the contemporary political and economic landscape.

  • Part One provides an introduction to the definitions, measurements and debates on the economics of inequality at both national and international levels.
  • Part Two examines in greater detail the economics of inequality at the national level through the prism of economic, political and socio-cultural systems and evaluates the policies devised and implemented under different systems to address inequalities.
  • Part Three examines the economics of inequality at the international level paying particular attention to the role of world trade, aid, migration and multinational investment.
  • The course concludes by outlining several future scenarios for global economic inequality.

This course is particularly relevant for students pursuing careers in government, international organizations and NGOs but also to any persons interested in engaging in public debates on inequality in an informed manner with access to relevant facts, figures and concepts.

Prereq: ECN 101 or ECN 102 or ECN 203 or equivalent background in microeconomics

DES304 Collaborative Design (Spring)

This project-oriented design studio is open only to and required of students admitted to the London Design Program. The course focuses on inquiry-based learning that involves groups of designers from diverse backgrounds and interests to work together to design innovative and transformative spaces, services, and products in a project-based environment.

Collaboration is an act of collected discovery. As a group of people within the network contributes, we can successfully create emergent environment with innovative results. This focus of this course is for students to learn to work together creatively in a hands-on environment to design innovative and transformative spaces, services, and products. The design tasks in the course aim to teach collaborative design as an approach to consider issues and resolve problems with broader parameters. Students will use design thinking to research sustainable solutions, new technologies, and cultural and social trends in the world.
This course is structured to provide our students with a combination of topical lectures, discussions on researched topics, idea-generation exercises, guest lecturers, in-class team exercises, review on the projects’ developments, and presentation to the class.

On successful completion of DES304, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a wider interpretation of the creative process and grasp of the nature and value of integrated design practices
  • Understand the dynamics of team collaboration and the distribution and structure of team responsibilities
  • Apply the value of divergent thinking while demonstrating the to ability effectively collaborate with multiple disciplines in developing design solutions
  • Demonstrate multidisciplinary creative approaches using technologically-based collaboration methods
  • Demonstrate design concepts that transform a space or product design without trying to fit the axioms, but using the terminology and language necessary to communicate effectively with members of allied disciplines.

Coreqs: IND 481 OR CMD 450

DRA362 Musical Theatre Scene Study (Fall)

The study and performance of scenes, duets, trios, and ensembles from the Musical Theatre repertoire, with an emphasis on inclusive work from diverse artists.

Unique to the London-based iteration of this scene study course, the class will involve theatre and concert attendance as well as talkbacks with performers. The course will be team-taught by world-class practitioners with professional experiences with and ties to the West End. A particular focus will be paid to repertoire not readily available or widely performed in the United States.

Limited enrollment – Open only to students admitted to the Acting at Shakespeare’s Globe special program as an optional course. Please note that space is limited. Enrollment in DRA362 will be at the Drama Department’s discretion based on availability and academic need. DRA362 is not open to students who take DRA529 in London.